monet house tour paris

The 7 Best Giverny & Monet’s Garden Tours From Paris [2024 Reviews]

If you’re in the picturesque capital of Paris, do yourself a favor and take a trip to the magical realm of Giverny and Monet’s Garden.

Picture this: a tranquil oasis nestled in the heart of the French countryside, where vibrant colors dance upon canvas and nature weaves its brushstrokes. To truly understand the genius of the great impressionist painter Claude Monet to its fullest, you have to take a guided tour.

You’ll not only witness the very landscapes and home that stirred his soul and sparked the strokes of artistic brilliance, unveiling the world through the eyes of a genius and beauty around every corner.

Immerse yourself in the delicate balance of light, color, and nature as expert guides unveil the secrets behind Monet’s masterpieces, as well as the artist, as a person.

Be sure to see our reviews of Day Trips to Normandy , Louvre Guided Tours and Paris Catacombs Tours .

Best Giverny & Monet’s Garden Tours

Quick answer: the 7 best rated tours of giverny & monet’s garden for 2024.

• Giverny and Versailles Palace Guided Day Trip From Paris
• Small-Group Giverny and Van Gogh’s Room in Auvers from Paris
• Gardens & House with Art Historian: Private Giverny Tour from Paris
• Guided Day Trip to Monet’s Garden in Giverny From Paris
• Giverny Monet’s House & Versailles Palace Private Day Trip from Paris
• Giverny Half-Day Trip small group from Paris with Monet’s Gardens & Gravesite
• Giverny’s House & Gardens plus Versailles Palace Day Trip with Lunch from Paris

Giverny & Monet’s Garden Tour Reviews

1. giverny and versailles palace guided day trip from paris.

• Duration:  10 hours
• Departure:  Main entrance of Architecture Museum in Place du Trocadero
• Departure Time: 8:00 AM
• Includes: Guide, Round-trip transportation from Paris by comfortable air-conditioned coach,  Skip-the-line entrance to the Château de Versailles and its gardens,  Entrance ticket to Monet’s house and gardens,  Headsets 

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the French capital and experience two of the most beautiful places in the world, with one of the most comprehensive tours available.

This guided tour of Monet’s Giverny estate and the opulent Palace of Versailles is the most convenient way to see these two powerful landmarks, complete with a skip-the-line entrance to the Château and its garden.

This day tour from Paris promises to whisk you away from the city streets into a world of elegance and natural splendor, where water lilies float and gold glitters.

Our adventure starts off with a rendezvous at the entrance of the Architecture museum, where a spacious coach awaits to bring us to the first stop on our artistic pilgrimage. The Monet Foundation is the first stop, which offers a glimpse into the world that inspired the great Claude Monet.

Stroll along the lily pad pond, where water lilies gracefully float, mirroring the artist’s masterpieces. It’s pretty cool the first time you’re here if you’ve seen his work, as you’ll instantly recognize the pond, green bridge, and even get to see the interior of his home.

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After a leisurely break in town consisting of a tasty local lunch, you’ll then hop back on the coach for a short cruise over to the Palace of Versailles, which is truly impressive.

The mere sight of this majestic marvel evokes a sense of awe and thanks to the skip the line tickets, you’ll get to head right in to see it all.

Follow your knowledgeable guide through the hallowed halls where history was shaped and lavish soirées took place, traversing the private royal chambers, allowing the opulence to envelop your senses.

Seeing the meticulously manicured gardens is truly serene and honestly one of my favorite parts of the tour, offering respite from the grandeur within.

The singing fountains had a big impact on me, and seeing just how enormous these gardens were really was hard to wrap my mind around! Take in the sights during a short tour, and then savor the freedom to wander at your leisure.

It will depend on the day, but towards the end of your tour you’ll either get to witness the mesmerizing Fountain Show or revel in the enchanting Musical Gardens, where harmonies intertwine with nature’s grand spectacle.

In my opinion, you can’t go without seeing either one of these amazing places, no matter what your interests or background are. Anyone from history and art buffs to children will fall in love with these special locations.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other experiences you may enjoy:, 2. small-group giverny and van gogh’s room in auvers from paris.

• Duration: 10 hours
• Departure:  6 Avenue de Wagram, 75008 Paris, outside the café La Flamme
• Includes:  Entrance to Monet’s Garden, tomb, Giverny, Van Gogh Room and tomb, Auvers-Sur-Oise village, transport, entrance fees

Prepare to be transported into the captivating realms of two artistic titans on this next tour: the Small-Group Giverny and Van Gogh’s Room in Auvers from Paris .

As you set off on a journey through time and emotion, you’ll get to dive into the unparalleled beauty of Claude Monet’s Clos Normand and Japanese Water gardens in Giverny. If you’re into art, history, or beautiful landscapes in any way, consider this tour a must-do!

You’ll first start off by meeting your guide and the rest of your group in central Paris, hopping on a comfortable coach and heading off to the countryside. Along the way, our guide filled us in with interesting anecdotes and facts about the environment and architecture we passed, which only added to the fun.

However, nothing compares to the ethereal landscapes you’re about to experience upon arrival to Monet’s abode!

It’s wild to step into the real-life scenes that inspired this artistic maestro, making it feel like you, yourself, have become a living brushstroke in one of his many Impressionist masterpieces!

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Check out the swaying willow trees, the iconic green bridge, the pond, and even head inside his home where you’ll get a rare glimpse into the world where the artist lived and worked.

Then, head on over to the charming town of Auvers-Sur-Oise, where you’ll learn all about the profound artistry and tormented soul that is Vincent Van Gogh.

The essence of the town and its surroundings served as a significant Van Gogh muse, inspiring a whopping 77 of his artworks! You’ll get to see the gothic splendor of the “Church of Auvers” which you may recognize from one of Van Gogh’s most famous classic post-impressionist oil paintings.

However, even if you don’t, it’s still quite the sight to see for anyone who appreciates magnificent architecture and history. See the artist’s final resting place and hear all about his life and art from your knowledgeable guide, creating a well-rounded experience that anyone is sure to appreciate.

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3. gardens & house with art historian: private giverny tour from paris.

• Duration:  5 hours
• Departure:  84 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny or hotel pickup available
• Departure Time: 8:00 AM or 1:30 PM
• Includes:  Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Skip the Line ticket to the house of Claude Monet, Licensed Professional and Passioned Art Historian Guide, VIP Services, All Fees and Taxes

Are you interested in seeing Giverny and Monet’s garden but don’t just want a run-of-the-mill experience? Perhaps you’re looking for a private, VIP experience where only you and your party are involved in the tour?

If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, one of the best options out there is the Gardens & House with Art Historian: Private Giverny Tour from Paris ! Large group tours definitely aren’t for everyone, as oftentimes there are just so many people, you just become another head in the crowd.

However, with this tour you’ll really get to have an intimate tour with a personalized itinerary based around exactly what you and your party are interested in, and nothing you aren’t.

Start off by being picked up at a central meeting point with comfortable, air-conditioned transportation with plenty of comfortable seating and prime viewing. Monet’s House is the first stop on your tour, which is honestly a site to see, both inside and out.

It’s very traditionally French, and is a great opportunity to gain some insight into how the artist’s daily life happened in the blue sitting room, dining room, studio, and more.

We can’t forget his fairytale-like garden, complete with the Japanese bridge and lily ponds which inspired one of his most famous artworks: the Nymphéas.

After seeing the Clos Normand – Foundation Claude Monet, you’ll have a lot of free time to explore the incredible village of Giverny. Giverny is one of the most charming places I’ve had the pleasure of seeing, complete with flowered homes, art galleries, quaint cafes, and the famously rose-hued Hotel Baudy!

If you were an American Impressionist back in the day, these were your stomping grounds.

4. Guided Day Trip to Monet’s Garden in Giverny From Paris

• Duration:  5 hours
• Departure:  Outside La Flamme in Paris
• Departure Time: 2:00 PM
• Includes:  Entry to gardens, Monet’s House, tour guide for garden, transport by minibus

If you’d like to escape from the business of Paris into a serene world of beauty and genius, look no further than the Guided Day Trip to Monet’s Garden in Giverny from Paris !

It’s also perfect if you don’t want to commit to a full-day tour, but are still very interested in experiencing the majesty of Mnoet’s Garden and the village of Giverny! If you’re looking for inspiration in your life, this is certainly one experience you want to sign up for.

Lasting 5 hours and starting in the morning, it’s perfect if you have dinner or other plans at night as you’ll be back well before then.

Start off the tour by meeting your guide and the rest of our party outside La Flamme cafe in Paris, which is located conveniently for the vast majority of travelers. Then head off in your air-conditioned vehicle until you arrive to the magical paradise that is Monet’s Garden and home.

As you enter Monet’s garden in Giverny, you’re transported into a pool of immense beauty, seeing the Japanese water gardens complete with the famous lily ponds and bridge depicted in the artist’s famous works.

No matter where you stroll here, you’ll smell the delicate fragrance of an array of gorgeous flowers, that make the experience just that much more fairytale-like.

Inside his home, you’ll get to see the intimate spaces where the artist lived and worked, and you’ll see how the rooms’ vibrant colors and furniture reflected Monet’s artistic aesthetic.

You’ll then head over to see the artist’s tomb, which offers a moment of reflection after seeing his amazing work and the place he spent so much of his life.

Located right near his beloved gardens, this tribute is a serene and tranquil place where many pay their respects to the man who forever changed the world with his revolutionary talent and techniques. If you’re a Monet fan or even just know of his name, this is one of the most immersive opportunities to learn more.

5. Giverny Monet’s House & Versailles Palace Private Day Trip from Paris

• Duration:  9 hours
• Departure:  Hotel pickup and drop-off available
• Includes: Private Tour Exclusive services Licensed Professional Driver Guide, Transport by air-conditioned minibus Skip-the-Line access & Priority admission, Guided visit: Monet’s house and gardens & Versailles’s palace and gardens

This next tour is one of the most complete of its kind out there, offering you a fantastically immersive experience you’re sure to love!

For me, both Monet’s house and the Palace of Versailles are must-see sites that will open your eyes to the artistry and grandeur throughout French history. The Giverny Monet’s House & Versailles Palace Private Day Trip from Paris is simply magical, offering a history lesson that you’ll never be able to find in a classroom.

One of the things I love about this tour is how organized it is, making sure that there’s more than enough time for everything. You’ll start out by being picked up at your hotel at 8:00 am, which means that you don’t have to deal with heading to a meet-up point or paying for extra transportation.

Your transport for the day is a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus that allows for enough legroom and unobstructed views of the French countryside.

Upon arrival at the charming Giverny, you’ll make your way over to the house and gardens of Claude Monet, which is a pilgrimage so many Impressionism fans make every day.

Wander at your leisure through the romantic water garden, where you’ll see the famous Japanese bridge, wisterias, water-lily pond, weeping willows, and irises that create a real-life work of art.

Head over to Monet’s home located right next to the garden, where you’ll get to tour through the drawing room, bedroom, study, and kitchen to see what family and art life was like for him.

Then, head over to the immense Palace of Versailles, which is an architectural marvel and one of the biggest castles in the world.

Standing as a testament to the French artistry of the 17th century, you’ll be blown away by the opulent Hall of Mirrors, Marie Antoinette’s apartments, gilded bronze sculptures, and so much more.

The grandeur isn’t contained just within the palace’s walls though, as you’ll see with the meticulously-designed gardens and the world’s largest open-air museum.

6. Giverny Half-Day Trip small group from Paris with Monet’s Gardens & Gravesite

• Duration:  4.5 hours
• Departure:  6 Av. de Wagram, 75008 Paris
• Departure Time: 8:00 AM or 2:00 PM
• Includes:  Small group tour, expert guide, chauffeur, transport by air-conditioned minivan, priority entrance to Claude Monet Estate

If you have a tight schedule but really want to see Monet’s gardens and Giverny, I can’t recommend any tour more than this one.

The Giverny Half-Day Trip Small Group from Paris with Monet’s Gardens & Gravesite  is easily one of the most breathtaking experiences one can have in France, and at an incredibly affordable cost.

Thanks to their great organization, professionalism, and vast knowledge, we were able to have an experience not many get the opportunity to.

Start out by meeting your guide in central Paris, where you and the rest of your small group will hop on an air-conditioned minivan and drive out to Giverny. Your tour will start sometime in the morning, so if you’re still feeling sleepy you can just sleep on the minivan.

The route is very smooth, so even if you don’t plan on getting some zzz’s you may drift off before arriving at the village (don’t worry, you won’t miss much).

Upon arrival to Giverny, you’ll benefit from having priority entrance so you’ll skip right past the long entrance queues and head straight to the magnificent gardens.

Here you’ll have at least 30 minutes to stroll around and explore the place that so obviously inspired hundreds of Monet’s works.

You’ll see that there are 2 different gardens at Monet’s home: the Clos Normand boasts literally hundreds of flowers, creating a symphony of beautiful colors. At Fondation Claude Monet, you’ll see the famous waterlily pond, bridge, and the home where the artist lived for over 4 decades and raised 8 children.

The gift shop is located inside the home, and is actually filled with some pretty cool, unique gifts, so don’t forget to stop here before you and your group head over to Monet’s final resting place.

I felt that this order of events was a great way to honor his life, ending with a visit to his tomb which is tucked away in a little countryside church’s graveyard. The guide did a great job of explaining facts about his art and life, offering interesting stories that I’d never heard before.

7. Giverny’s House & Gardens plus Versailles Palace Day Trip with Lunch from Paris

• Departure:  41 Av. de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris
• Departure Time:  8:15 AM
• Includes:  Guided tour in English inside Palace of Versailles, lunch with drinks, small-group tour, skip-the-line tickets

Prepare to set off on a wild journey that will start out in the enchanting gardens of the genius, Claude Monet, to the gilded palace of Versailles. If you have any interest at all in French culture, history, or art, this is a tour you simply can’t pass up.

The Giverny’s House & Gardens plus Versailles Palace Day Trip with Lunch from Paris Tour  allows you to dive headfirst into a day of artistic and historical exploration.

Start out by meeting your guide and the rest of your group at a location close to the Eiffel Tower, making it easy to find in the morning. You and your group will board an air-conditioned minibus around 8:00 am, and head out to the serene countryside.

Upon arrival in Giverny, you’ll make your way to the former home of the Impressionist maestro, Claude Monet. Take some time to explore the vibrant flowers, serene lily ponds, and take some photos on the iconic Japanese-style green bridge, feeling the spirit of Monet all around you.

 It really is as close as you could possibly get to stepping into one of Monet’s paintings.

After checking out his former home and gardens, you’ll then fuel up at the “Moulin de Fourges” restaurant, which is a 200-year-old mill tucked along the banks of the Epte River.

Then, make your way to Versailles: one of the most magnificent palaces in the world that once was home to the Sun King himself, Louis XIV.

Here, you’ll venture through a guided tour with an expert on the location, seeing King Louis XIV’s opulent suite, the Hall of Mirrors, and of course, the “A la Française” gardens!

Depending on the time of year, you’ll either get to enjoy a mesmerizing Musical Fountain Show, or have some extra time to walk around at your own leisure.

FAQs About Giverny Tours

How far is giverny from paris.

Giverny is located about 75 km (47 miles) northwest of Paris, in the Normandy region. It’s about an hour and a half drive by car or train.

How can I get to Giverny from Paris?

There are several ways to get to Giverny from Paris. You can drive, take a train or bus, or our recommended way is to take a guided tour. Driving gives you flexibility but you will need to rent a car and pay for gas, tolls and parking. Taking a train is cheaper and faster, but you will need to transfer at Vernon and take a shuttle bus or a taxi to Giverny.

Taking a bus is convenient and affordable, but it takes longer and has limited schedules. Joining a guided tour is the easiest and most comfortable option, as you will have transportation, tickets, and a guide included.

What are the opening hours of Monet’s house and gardens?

Monet’s house and gardens are open every day from March 22nd to November 1st. They are closed from November 2nd to March 21st.

How much does it cost to visit Monet’s house and gardens?

The entrance fee to Monet’s house and gardens is $13 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and free for children under 7 years old.

What is the advantage of taking a guided tour of Giverny?

By taking a guided tour of Giverny you will learn about Monet’s life and art. You will also get the history and culture of the village. You will have a professional and friendly guide who will show you around Monet’s house and gardens, as well as other attractions in Giverny, such as the Impressionism Museum, the Church of Sainte-Radegonde, or the Hotel Baudy. You will also have priority access to skip the long lines at the entrance and save time.

How can I book a Giverny France tour?

Booking a Giverny France tour is easy, there are several websites like GetYourGuide.com or Viator.com you can buy tickets.

5 Reasons You Should Go To Giverny

Visit monet’s house and gardens.

The main attraction of Giverny is Monet’s house and gardens, where you can see the places that inspired some of his most famous paintings. You can explore his colorful and cozy home, where he lived and worked for 43 years. You can also admire his stunning gardens, full of flowers, trees, ponds, and bridges. Don’t miss the water lily pond, where he painted his iconic series of water lilies.

Learn about Monet’s life and art

A tour of Giverny will not only show you Monet’s house and gardens, but also teach you about his life and art. You will have a professional and passionate guide who will tell you stories and facts about Monet’s personal and professional life, his family, his friends, his travels, and his influences.

Enjoy the scenic countryside

Giverny is located in the heart of the Normandy countryside, surrounded by green hills, fields, forests, and rivers. A tour of Giverny will let you enjoy the scenic beauty of this region, as you drive or bike along the winding roads and paths. You will also have the chance to stop at some of the picturesque villages and towns along the way, such as Vernon, La Roche-Guyon, or Les Andelys.

Taste the local cuisine

A tour of Giverny will give you the opportunity to sample some of the delicious dishes and specialties of Normandy, such as cheese, cider, apple tart, crepes, or duck. You can also visit some of the charming cafes and restaurants in Giverny, such as Le Jardin des Plumes, La Musardière, or Le Coin des Artistes.

Combine it with other attractions

A tour of Giverny can also be combined with other attractions in Normandy or nearby regions. Visit the city of Rouen, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Mont Saint-Michel is an amazing cathedral that is definitely worth a visit.  And of course the beautiful Loire Valley, where you can see some stunning castles and chateaus.

Tour Guides

The Giverny and Versailles Palace Guided Day Trip is our Editors Choice for the best Giverny tour from Paris

Krysha Thayer

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best florence wine tours [2024 reviews], the 7 best vatican tours ⛪ [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews].

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Monet’s Gardens in Giverny

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• Description •
• Tour Highlights •

Monet’s Inspiration

Discover the unparalleled beauty of the home and gardens of Claude Monet, the father of Impressionism, where he lived and painted for more than 40 years of his life. Visit the interior of his home and then stroll through the two distinctly unique gardens which Monet himself designed and modified throughout his life.

Join our half day trip from Paris and you’ll see a hundred different types of flowers and foliage intertwining to create the living art in Monet’s Clos Normand Flower Garden. Then you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into one of his paintings when you see the little green Japanese bridge that crosses his pond. Seeing the willow trees and lake full of water lilies you’ll understand why Monet used this garden as the inspiration for over 250 of his paintings.

Monet’s Living Masterpiece

This tour starts when you meet up in Paris with your guide near the Arc de Triomphe and board our luxury van for the 50 minute drive to Giverny. Along the way you’ll see the French countryside and the Seine River winding its way through the valley covered in lush green with small villages here and there. Once you arrive in the charming town of Giverny your guide will take you to Claude Monet's property.

Your guide will then give a detailed introduction to the two different types of gardens Claude Monet created: his Clos Normand flower garden and his water garden. You’ll see how he composed his multicolored flower beds in the same manner as he composed his paintings, with forethought and great care. You’ll also learn about some of his most famous paintings and see the inspiration behind them

The Clos Normand and the Water Garden

You will be given free time to wander through both gardens at your leisure. The water garden, with its pond full of water lilies is surrounded by weeping willows and a bamboo forest. There you’ll be able to see the famous little green japanese style bridge that Claude Monet used in so many of his most famous paintings. You are welcome to sit down on a bench next to the pond and admire how the light reflects in it’s mirrored surface and changes the way you perceive the water lilies.

In the Clos Normand you’ll admire thousands of multicolored tulips, bright blue, purple, and white irises, cheerful yellow daffodils, and meek little peonies. You’ll also enjoy seeing the trellaced passageway of climbing nasturtiums that leads to the pink home of Claude Monet, covered in dark green vines. Following the path you’ll be able to visit the inside of his home of more than 40 years.

Monet’s Home and Grave Site

The inside of Claude Monet’s home is just as vibrant as his gardens as it too was decorated by the artist himself. You’ll visit the artist's atelier with its walls covered in paintings that he created of his gardens and family life. Climb the tiy staircase to his private apartments and notice a painting from his good friend Renoir hanging on the wall.

Downstairs you’ll see his vibrant yellow dining room and the bright blue and white tiled kitchen as well as be able to admire his amazing collection of Japanese prints. After you have finished with his home you will be driven to the quaint little church graveyard that Monet chose as his final resting place. You’ll be able to pay your respects to this great man and thank him for adding so much beauty to this world!

Good to Know:

• If you join us for the tour starting at 8am you can plan to be back in Paris around 1pm.
• If you join us for the tour starting at 2pm you can plan to be back in Paris around 7pm.
• There is no lunch or dinner stop during this tour.
• The tour will finish very close to where it started, next to the Avenue of the Champs Elysées.
• Gratuities aka "tips" are not included but welcomed by our guides.

Max. 8 pers. per tour

What's Included

• Transportation by luxury A/C minibus
• All entrance Tickets

All of our tours are commented in English

Dates & Times

April to October Everyday at 8AM or 2PM

Meeting point

6 Avenue de Wagram, Paris

Click here for picture Reservation required

For the Monet's Gardens in Giverny Half-Day Trip from Paris you will meet with your driver-guide outside of 6 Avenue de Wagram in Paris , it's located 300ft from the Arc de Triomphe.

Tour Highlights

Visit the interior of Monet’s house and see the brightly colored rooms and admire dozens of works that were gifted to him by his famous artist friends.

The Water Lilies

See and learn all about the, once rare, colorful water lilies which Monet chose for his pond and used as his main inspiration for so many of his paintings.

Flower Garden

Planted with more than 100 different types of flowers which bloom for different seasons this garden is breathtakingly beautiful at all times of the year.

Water Garden

This is where Monet spent most of his time painting the ever changing aspects of the waterlilies in his pond.

Paris largest and most celebrated Church, built in a true Gothic fashion it has the most beautiful Rose windows and flying buttresses.

Once the Royal Palace, now the largest and most visited museum in the world. The Louvre is home to the mysterious Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the famous glass Pyramid.

The Musée d’Orsay

Home to some of the most beautiful paintings in the world, the Musée d’Orsay has several works of Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh.

Rue Cler market

Parisians have been coming to rue Cler market street since 1826! Taste some of the best of Paris here when you stop for the 30 minute break.

Seine River banks

The banks of the Seine River, in Paris, are so enchanting that they have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll ride along them and behold the beauty of the river life.

Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde is the place where Marie-Antoinette lost her head! Today is has a 2,000 year old Egyptian Obelisk at its center.

The Grand Palais

Constructed for the 1900 World’s Fair, the Grand Palais is a magnificent architectural feat with its glass, iron and steel beautifully combined.

Champs-Elysées

Known to many as « The most beautiful avenue in the world » you'll have a wonderful view all the way up this avenue to the famous Arc de Triomphe.

Invalides (Napoleon’s Tomb)

Les Invalides was once a hospital for wounded soldiers, and is currently a military museum that is home to the tomb of Napoléon Bonaparte.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you think Giverny is only good to visit in the springtime you are mistaken. Giverny is open from the end of March to the end of October and it’s absolutely beautiful throughout this entire time. The gardeners in Giverny do an amazing job caring for and changing out the different flowers from the Springtime all the way through the fall.

So, now when we answer your question it hopefully won’t be too much of a surprise when we believe that a nice sunny day in October is the best of all! There are still plenty of flowers in bloom but there are also fall colors in the trees and a lot less visitors than during the other months. Your taste might be different than our though so we suggest that you look for #giverny pictures on Instagram to get an idea of what Monet's gardens look like at different time of the year.

We allow you to cancel, for any reason, up to 24 hours before the start of your tour. It’s easy to cancel just send us an email then we’ll give you a full refund.

If you fail to email with your cancellation at least 24 hours before the tour starts then we will not be able to provide you with a refund.

Since we only take small groups to Giverny you should book your spots on this tour at least 3 weeks before the date you want to take the tour.

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Planning on booking multiple tours with us? Contact us to receive a 10% discount . Discount only apply when booking 2, 3 or 4 tours on different dates.

Free Cancellation

We understand that unexpected events can change your travel plans; for this reason Blue Fox Travel offers a full refund, for any reason, if you cancel more than 24hrs before your reserved tour is scheduled to start.

Small Groups

Small Group = Better Experience

We keep our groups small to ensure a more personal and higher quality experience for you.

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These are the Terms & Conditions that apply to any tour run by BLUE FOX TRAVEL in France under the brands BLUE BIKE TOURS or BLUE FOX TRAVEL. In this document, BLUE BIKE TOURS might be abbreviated as BBT and BLUE FOX TRAVEL as BFT.

BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée - Limited Liability Company) at the Paris Chamber of Commerce under the number : 534 151 576 BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered French Travel Operator under the licence : IM075160040 BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered Public Service Vehicle Operator under the Licence : 2016/11/0007784 Because BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered French company, and all of our tours take place in France, only the French Law will apply in the case of any conflict. Last updated : January 2019. Valid until : the end of the world.

I - Cancellation Policy

BFT offers a 100% refund if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the scheduled start of the tour. The notification must be made by email. No refunds are given for ANY reason once within the 24 hrs prior to the scheduled tour. All of our tours run Rain or Shine. We do not issue refunds if you choose to skip your tour because the weather doesn’t suit you. You can always wait until the last minute to book your tour to ensure the weather suits you that day. BFT reserves the right to cancel any of its tours last minute in case of an Act of God or crazy act from a large group of people. Flooding, hail, dangerous weather conditions, riots, etc. In such instances full refunds will be given to anyone who had their tour cancelled.

II - Satisfaction Guarantee Policy

If the tour you took with us didn’t live up to what we promised you on our website and failed to meet your expectations, we will be heartbroken. We will also give you a 100% refund so long as you do all of these things: You remember that we we are in no way responsible for the weather and that our guides actually have to give 110% of themselves to you on days when the weather is not as nice in order to help you enjoy the tour. You participate in the entire tour from: being on time at the meeting point until the “goodbyes” at the very end of the tour. You can’t leave a tour half-way and ask for your money back. At the end of the tour you tell your guide, in person, that you were not satisfied with the tour you took. You provide your tour guide with the reasons you were not satisfied with the tour itself.

III - Payment Policy

A valid credit card is required to secure your booking. All reservations must be prepaid online prior to the tour. We accept Visa, Mastercard. None of your personal credit card or billing information is stored by BFT.

IV - Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. Your personal informations will never be disclosed to any third parties.

V - Child Policy

All reservations made for children under the age of 18 years old must be made by an adult and we must be informed at the time of booking exactly how many children are in your party and their ages. This is vital information as it allows our guide to prepare the proper child sized equipments for the bike tours and the booster seats for all day trips/excursions that use one of our vans. All reservations made for a minor under the age of 18 years old must also include the reservation for an adult who will be 100% solely responsible for the safety and well being of the child while on the tour. Every child, under the age of 12 years old, partaking in a bicycle tour will be required to wear a helmet and a reflective vest as per French Law. The adult who accompanies the child agrees to the responsibility of choosing a properly sized helmet, adjusting the helmet, and keeping the helmet on the head of the child during the whole tour. Blue Fox Travel has helmets in multiple sizes for you to choose from at no cost. Don't forget: Children who will be riding in a baby/child seat, on a tandem attachment bike, or in a booster seat in one of our vans absolutely MUST have their seat reserved beforehand. We NEED to know exactly what your child will need before they show up. Please make it clear in the “Special Requirements” section of our booking form.

VI- Child Bike Policy

Children who will be riding on their own may be subject to a very short test run before the tour starts in which they will be expected to demonstrate: that they are well suited for their bike’s size and settings, that they know how to brake properly and that they are, in general, good cyclists who can be trusted to follow their tour guide in a safe manner. We own 20” and 24” kids bikes (size of the wheel). Adult bikes are 26”. If the guide, or manager, finds that the child is not, for any reason, a good enough cyclist then the guide, or manager, has the right to refuse to let the child follow the tour on a personal bike. This means they will either be asked to ride on one of our ‘tandem attachments’ which is attached to the back of a parents bike OR asked to ride in a child seat attached to the back of a parents bike. If the child refuses the change, then the guide or manager has the right to cancel the reservation, and not allow you and your child on the bike tour. Refunds will not be issued if your reservation is cancelled because of your child not being able to cycle and their refusal to ride attached to you. Baby seats are for kids that are between the ages of 1 and 3 years old (max weight 22 kg (48 lbs)). We also have some cool Burley™ tandem attachment bikes that are suitable for little kids who are too big for the baby seat but too small to cycle on their own (max weight 38 kg (85 lbs) - max height 137 cm (4 ft 6 in)).

VII - Damages to Blue Fox Travel Property

If you or anyone in your party damages a vehicle, a Blue Bike™, a vehicle, a child's bike, a helmet, a baby/child seat, a tandem attachment bike, any bike attachments, or a booster seat in such a way that it becomes badly disfigured, broken, or unusable, then BFT reserves the right to claim a fee of up to the cost of repair of the damaged bike/vehicle or object.

VIII - Miscellaneous

Giverny Half-Day Trip from Paris with Visit to Monet's House

• Visit Monet’s estate in Giverny on this half-day tour from Paris , with everything taken care of for you - you’ll travel in comfort and style , without the worry of trying to figure out French public transport for yourself!
• You’ll arrive at Giverny where you'll enjoy an orientation talk from your guide before exploring the House and Gardens of Monet at your leisure using a self-guided app. Admire some of Monet's less-known paintings and the gardens which inspired him.
• The rest of your free time will give you the chance to enjoy a delicious lunch, stroll through the quintessential village of Giverny , do some souvenir shopping and enjoy the sights.

Tour Description

What's included.

• Expert, English speaking tour guide
• Round trip transfer from Paris in a comfortable air-conditioned coach
• Entrance fee to Monet's house and gardens
• Self-guided app for the Monet house and gardens
• Optional gratuities
• Hotel pick-up/drop-off
• Food & Beverages

Sites Visited

• Monet’s house and gardens
• Giverny town

You’ll meet your guide and tour group at our meeting point, and head off to Giverny - travelling by comfortable, air-conditioned coach. The journey is about an hour, and your expert, English-speaking guide will give you an insight into how the day will unfold as you admire the scenic view. Upon arrival at the Fondation Claude Monet, where your guide will give you a brief but informative introduction to the estate itself, you’ll be free to explore the house and gardens at your leisure.

Monet himself lived and worked here for 43 years. As the founder of impressionist painting, Monet is well-known across the art world and wider society. His paintings of nature are outstanding and iconic, and you’ll see the gardens which inspired him so heavily. Walk around the lily pad-peppered ponds of the garden that were made famous by Monet’s own masterpieces. Admire the fabulous explosion of blooms which change depending on the season. The colors and textures here are just breathtaking, and it’s not hard to see why this talented man was so keen to capture them in his artwork.

Within the house you’ll see where and how he lived, as well as paintings which might be a bit less well-known due to not being hung in galleries across the globe and instead residing where they were created. Be sure to bring your camera, because you won’t be able to resist snapping some photographs. The ivy-clad building has been restored to look exactly as it did back then, which really is a sight to behold…

After your time at the estate itself, you can stroll around the provincial town of Giverny itself - it’s like something straight out of a fairytale, and there are plenty of quaint bars and restaurants dotted around to enjoy a spot of lunch and a nice drink before you make the journey back to Paris in the early afternoon.

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Important Notes

• Please note that Paris will host the 2024 Olympics from July 26th to August 11th, followed by the Paralympics from August 28th to September 8th. This may have an impact on our travel plans. While we are committed to minimizing any sort of inconvenience, please be aware that unforeseen issues may arise. We will make every effort to navigate challenges and ensure a smooth experience for you.
• Please note that your self-guiding app should be download on your smartphone prior to tour . Credentials and download instructions will be provided on your voucher upon booking. Once downloaded, the app can be used offline. Please ensure that you bring earphones and have enough battery on your phone to enjoy all the content of the self-guided app once inside the House and Gardens of Monet.
• We strongly recommend all clients who are traveling with infants to bring their own infant or child seat. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure the safety of their child.

Cancelation Policy

This tour is subject to a 24-hour cancelation policy. If you wish to cancel or amend your booking, you can do so without charge by contacting us up to 24 hours in advance of your expected departure time.

You should expect to receive an email within minutes of booking with your confirmation voucher.

To amend your booking, please contact our Customer Care team by phone , chat or email us at [email protected] . If you have booked your tour through a third-party distributor, please contact them directly to amend your booking.

We are happy to assist with this request - availability permitting. Please contact our Customer Care Team who can check availability on the tour and take payment for the additional booking, as payment details are not saved in our system for security reasons.

• Book with Confidence: Free cancellations up to 24 hours before the experience begins (local time).
• Multilingual Customer Service: Talk to us, we are here to help.
• No Hidden Costs: All taxes and fees included.

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All day trip guided tour Giverny Monet's Gardens and Palace of Versailles from Paris with skip-the-line access (lunch and transportation included)

Guided tour

239,00 € / pers.

• Free time to visit the magnificent French gardens of Versailles is included
• 3-course lunch in a charming country restaurant
• Guided tour of the Royal Apartments of the Palace of Versailles with priority access
• Transportation from Paris by air-conditioned vehicle
• With this tour, explore Claude Monet's studio and the house he lived in for more than 40 years
• Free time to visit the somptuous Giverny gardens and free time in Monet's house.
• Services of a licensed guide

Ideal combo tour to visit two of the biggest attractions in the Paris region. You will enjoy a visit to Claude Monet's magnificent gardens in Giverny as well as the house of the master of Impressionism. After a traditional lunch, you will leave to visit the famous Palace of Versailles, which will take you back into the history of the Kings of France.

Set off at 8:15 am from our agency in Central Paris. The journey to Giverny by luxury air-conditioned coach will take approximately one hour and 30 minutes. Soak up the world of the painter, Claude Monet, famous for painting different corners of his garden, such as the "Water Lilies" or the "Japanese Bridge." The painter Claude Monet lived at Giverny with his wife and eight children for 43 years, from 1883 until his death in 1926. Passionate about gardening and nature's changing colors, he designed his flower and water gardens as if they were works of art. During your visit of Monet's garden at Giverny , admire the multicolored flower beds, the Clos Normand Flower Garden with its many Eastern plants, and the lush water garden, famous for its water lilies and Japanese bridge. 

Then take advantage of your free time to visit Claude Monet's pink-plastered house, where he lived and worked (guided tours of the interior are not permitted due to the lack of space). Explore the reading room, leading into the larder and the artist's studio. In addition to those of his private apartments, these rooms have been reconstructed with Monet's original furniture. Visit the bright yellow dining room, which has been reconstructed down to the very last detail, with earthenware dishes and a blue-tiled kitchen. In the dining room, marvel at one of the world's most important collections of Japanese prints. At the end of your visit, explore the village and treat yourself to some souvenir shopping in the gift and book shop, which was once used as a studio for Monet's Water Lilies; it offers a wide range of products inspired by the artist's work. After visiting Giverny, enjoy a tasty lunch at the Moulin de Fourges restaurant (or 2 steps away at the Bistrot du Moulin ) just ten minutes away, where you can sample local food with a twist.

Menu ( subject to modification) Starter: Fish terrine, sour farm cream and mixed green salad Main dish: Roasted chicken breast, mushroom cream and mashed potato with salted butter. Dessert: Norman apple tart, scoop of ice cream. Drinks: White and red Wine OR Cider of local production on demand + Still and sparkling water, Coffee or Tea Note : Alternative choices to food restrictions (vegetarian, gluten-free...) available on site.

In the afternoon, explore the Palace and Gardens of Versailles. Covering more than 721,000 square feet, the Palace has over 700 rooms. Follow your guide to the front of the line to see the most impressive rooms: the King's Apartments, with seven salons each dedicated to a different god, and the Queen's Apartments. Also visit the majestic Hall of Mirrors, a reception room in which to see and be seen, dreamt up by the famous architect, Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Almost 240 feet-long, it was designed to astonish visitors of the Sun King Louis XIV; it is lit by 17 windows and 350 mirrors, and overlooks the palace's splendid gardens, the second part of your visit. Enjoy the free time to visit the Gardens of Versailles and marvel at its many works of art, fountains, ponds, flower beds and groves of trees. 

Return to Paris scheduled for around 6:00 pm.

Please note:

• Flat shoes are strongly recommended (Versailles has parquet floors in its rooms and cobblestones in its courtyard)
• Strollers are not permitted inside the palace
• The skip-the-line access is subject to the Versailles Palace procedures: The Vigipirate plan, the security control or an unforeseen crowd can slow down the entrance
• On-site visit duration: 6h15
• Services of a tour guide 
• Transport to and from Paris by luxury air-conditioned coach
• Priority access ticket for the Palace of Versailles and its gardens 
• Entrance ticket with priority access at Giverny for Claude Monet's house and gardens
• Lunch at the Moulin de Fourges restaurant (or 2 steps away at the Bistrot du Moulin)
• Transfers to and from your accommodation

Let's go

Book your tour

1. Define your needs

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2. Select your tour

1 adult x 239,00 €

Cancellation fees : Go to general terms and conditions of sale

Preparation of the tour

Address : Meet our representative with a ParisCityVision sign outside Café le Champ de Mars.

45 avenue de La Bourdonnais 75007 PARIS

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Organized by PARISCityVISION

Tour Code: GVA

Claude Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny are the second most visited tourist attraction in Normandy, France, and attract visitors from around the world between 29 march and 1 November. This page provides useful information to plan your visit.

Getting there

Restored in the late 1970s, the Giverny house and gardens were Claude Monet’s private sanctuary from 1883 to 1926. Permeated with memories of yesteryear, the pink rendered building and the flower gardens have been perfectly restored to immerse visitors in the artist and gardener’s home setting.

Claude Monet

Changing seasons

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Clos normand

Water garden

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Claude Monet’s house and gardens - Giverny

84 rue Claude Monet 27620 Giverny Tel : +33 (0) 2 32 51 28 21 [email protected]

Open march 29th 2024 to november 1st 2024 9.30 am to 6.00 pm, last admission 5.30 pm

No animals permitted. >> Online bookings recommended

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Half-Day Giverny Tour from Paris: Monet's House and Garden with Skip-the-Line Tickets

• Fondation Claude Monet
• Monet's Garden
• Vernon Train Station

• Walk alongside the green pastures of Giverny that inspired Monet
• Led by an art historian

• It is your first or tenth time in Paris, Giverny changes significantly with each passing week. 
• You are in France between April and October, when the gardens are open and full of color . 
• You love impressionism , you are a fan of gardening and horticulture , or you are just looking for an interesting and charming day trip to get out of the city. 
• Money Gardens and Home
• Giverny village

Transportation

Additional trip-planning resources.

• For more information on planning your travels to Paris, take a read through our Context Stories .
• If you are looking to learn more about impressionism before your visit, check out our online lecture on Impressionism in Normandy . 

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Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

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Giverny Monet's Garden

By Givernet, Non-for-profit Organisation

DAYS AND TIME: Monet's gardens welcome visitors everyday including public holidays from 9.30 am to 6 pm -last admission 5:30pm- from March 29th through November 1st, 2024.

TICKET SALE: Advance tickets will remain highly recommended in 2024.

E-TICKETS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IN 2024

Claude Monet Giverny Garden Photo by Ariane Cauderlier

Admission Tickets in 2024:

• The admission is time-based.
• No transaction fee for tickets collected in store; E-ticket or M-ticket transaction fee: €1.45
• Normal fare and seniors: 13.00 euros
• Children and students: 8.50 euros
• Disabled: 7.50 euros
• Children under 7: free of charge  
• 1.45 euros transaction fee
• Normal fare and seniors: 12.00 euros
• Children and students: 7.50 euros
• Disabled: 6.50 euros

Private Guided Tours

• Duration : around 1hr30
• Private tours are given in English, French, Spanish or German
• Guided tours 2024 fees are 220 euros for your party + admission ticket .

Note: Guided tours upon appointment only.

• Adults and seniors: 8.00 euros
• Disabled: 4.00 euros
• Children under 12 y.o.: 5.50 euros
• Students: 5.50 euros
• Write to : Fondation Claude Monet Rue Claude Monet 27620 Giverny France
• or fax : +33 (0) 232 51 91 32
• or email: [email protected]
• If you need a guide for your group Contact Giverny guides here

Visitor Information:

Further readings:.

Blogs, Photos and talks:

Hotel, Palace or Farm ? Do as Claude Monet : Select Giverny area for your next Stay in Paris !

The Two Gardens

There are two parts in Monet's garden: a flower garden called Clos Normand in front of the house and a Japanese inspired water garden on the other side of the road. The two parts of Monet's garden contrast and complement one another.

Claude Monet's Home and Garden in Giverny in Spring - Photo Ariane Cauderlier

The Clos Normand

When Monet and his family settled in Giverny in 1883 the  piece of land sloping gently down from the house to the road was planted with an orchard and enclosed by high stone walls.

A central alley bordered with pines separated it into two parts. Monet had the pines cut down, keeping only the two yews closest to the house to please Alice.

From this Clos Normand of about one hectare, Monet made a garden full of perspectives, symmetries and colours.

The land is divided into flowerbeds where flower clumps of different heights create volume. Fruit trees or ornamental trees dominate the climbing roses, the long -stemmed hollyhocks and the coloured banks of annuals. Monet mixed the simplest flowers (daisies and poppies) with the most rare varieties.

The central alley is covered over by iron arches on which climbing roses grow. Other rose trees cover the balustrade along the house. At the end of the summer nasturtiums invade the soil in the central alley.

Claude Monet did not like organized nor constrained gardens. He married flowers according to their colours and left them to grow rather freely.

With the passing years he developed a passion for botany, exchanging plants with his friends Clemenceau and Caillebotte.  Always on the look-out for rare varieties, he bought young plants at great expense. "All my money goes into my garden," he said. But also: "I am in raptures."

Giverny Claude Monet's Garden Main Alley late summer - Photo Ariane Cauderlier

Claude Monet Water Lily Pond  in Giverny - Photo Ariane Cauderlier

The water garden

In 1893, ten years after his arrival at Giverny, Monet bought the piece of land neighbouring his property on the other side of the railway. It was crossed by a small brook, the Ru, which is a diversion of the Epte, a tributary of the Seine River. With the support of the prefecture, Monet had the first small pond dug ; even though his peasant neighbours were opposed. They were afraid that his strange plants would poison the water.

Later on the pond would be enlarged to its present day size. The water garden is full of asymmetries and curves. It is inspired by the Japanese gardens that Monet knew from the prints he collected avidly.

In this water garden you will find the famous Japanese bridge covered with wisterias, other smaller bridges, weeping willows, a bamboo wood and above all the famous nympheas which bloom all summer long. The pond and the surrounding vegetation form an enclosure separated from the surrounding countryside.

Never before had a painter so shaped his subjects in nature before painting them. And so he created his works twice. Monet would find his inspiration in this water garden for more than twenty years. After the Japanese bridge series, he would devote himself to the giant decorations of the Orangerie.

Always looking for mist and transparencies, Monet would dedicate himself less to flowers than to reflections in water, a kind of inverted world transfigured by the liquid element.

Claude Monet Water Garden in Giverny, Autumn Reflections - Photo Ariane Cauderlier

Spring Morning Mist under the japanese bridge in Claude Monet's Garden Photo Ariane Cauderlier

The Japanese bridge

Monet had it built by a local craftsman. By the time the garden was restored the bridge was too damaged to be saved. It had to be rebuilt by a firm from Vernon. It is made of beech wood.

The wisterias have been planted by Monet.

500 000 visitors discover Monet's gardens each year during the seven months that it is open.

To prevent people from treading on the plants, and thus retain the garden's beauty, the inner alleys are closed to the public. Visitors walk on the side alleys and can walk all around the garden to admire all its perspectives.

To get to the water garden you go through an underground passage (at the time of Monet it was necessary to cross the railway and the road). You will step on the Japanese bridge and explore all the hidden recesses of the water garden.

Taking pictures is permitted in the garden, but only from the walkways. Picnics are forbidden. Dogs and other pets are not admitted.

Water Lilies in Claude Monet's Pond in Giverny - Photo Ariane Cauderlier

Claude Monet's Giverny property in Summer - Photo Ariane Cauderlier

Restoring Monet's house and garden

After Claude Monet's death in 1926, his son Michel inherited the house and garden of Giverny. He did not live there and it was Monet's step-daughter Blanche who took care of the property. Unfortunately after the Second World War the house and garden were neglected. In 1966 Michel Monet made the Academie des Beaux-Arts his heir.

In 1977 Gérald van der Kemp was appointed Curator  at Giverny. André Devillers, who had the opportunity to go with Georges Truffaut - a distinguished gardener often invited to Monet's table - helped him reconstruct the garden as it was by the time of the master. Many contemporaries of Monet testified also.

Almost ten years were necessary to restore the garden and the house their former magnificence. Not much was left. The greenhouse panes and the windows in the house were reduced to shards after the bombings. Floors and ceiling beams had rotted away,  a staircase had collapsed. Three trees were even growing in the big studio.  

The pond had to be dug again. In the Clos normand soil was removed to find the original ground level. Then the same flower species as those discovered by Monet in his time were planted.

The property has been open to the public since September 1980. 

Further reading:

Giverny Claude Monet's Yellow Dinning Room - Photo Ariane Cauderlier

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Giverny Private Tour – Claude Monet’s House & Garden

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Private local guide & private transportation from paris.

• 100% Private Tour You and your party only
• Local Guide English Speaking
• Flexible Cancellation Here to help
• At your accommodation In central Paris
• Wheelchair Access Open to all

Our  Giverny Private Tour is a wonderful half-day tour to explore the village where Claude Monet bought a beautiful house and grew an impressive flower garden  and a Japanese one. Their colors and light were an inspiration for many of his works. Our private tour of Giverny is the best way to enjoy  a day trip from Paris , including private transportation and skip-the-line tickets, in the company of a professional local guide.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Monet’s House & Garden only open to the public from April to October. Therefore this tour is only available then.

• Discover the intimate home & life of the world’s most famous painter.
• Soak up the atmosphere of the birth place of Impressionism.
• Enjoy & feel free to ask all questions to your private local guide.

What's Included

• English-speaking licensed guide, dedicated to you and your party only!
• Round-trip private transportation by deluxe chauffeured-van from your accommodation in central Paris.
• Skip-the-line access to Monet’s House & Garden.
• Optional 4-hour extension to Versailles for a full-day trip (add at checkout).

Why You'll Love It

Great news!  Our  Monet’s garden in Giverny  private tour is the first 100% custom tour available –  that makes a massive difference !

Welcome to  the house and garden of the most famous painter  in the world.  Giverny  makes you feel the passion for flowers, colors and light of  the father of Impressionism, Claude Monet . And he does deserve his reputation!  Hundreds of paintings  worth millions of dollars were inspired by the  thousands of flowers  you are about to discover.

Quite overwhelming isn’t it?  We know . And it is because Impressionism can be intimidating that  we have created a new way to explore and enjoy  this treasure of the world. You will get to  know the personality of the man behind the painter  who fathered the renewal of painting, you will get to  stand right where Monet painted  at the peak of his glory, and you will get to  explore the lovely village of Giverny  that became home to  many other wonderful artists!

Be ready to  fall in love with Giverny  and to take a journey through  alleys, ponds and bridges of flowers.

Our unique  Private Tour of Monet’s garden in Giverny  is tailored for you to have a fantastic time and  feel connected with Monet’s inspiring art touch.

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How to Get from Paris to Giverny

• See & Do
• Monet's Garden in Giverny
• Getting from Paris to Giverny

How to Get to Giverny from Paris to Visit Claude Monet's Garden

Planning visit Claude Monet's gardens in Giverny?  If so, you may be wondering: "What's the best way to get there from Paris?"

Ready to Book Your Trip to Giverny from Paris Now?

These are our 3 top choices for Giverny tours with transportation from Paris:

• Giverny: Monet's Garden Half-Day Tour - Highly-rated small-group guided tour
• Monet's Garden Bike Tour - Explore Giverny by bike, picnic by the Seine, and soak up the beauty of Monet's home and gardens
• Giverny & Versailles Day Tour with Lunch - Make the most of your time by visiting both sites in one day, plus a tasty French lunch by a picturesque windmill

If you love Monet's famous water lily paintings, a visit to his home in the small village of Giverny located in the Normandy countryside northwest of Paris may be one the top things to do during your time in the City of Light.

From the moment Monet's estate opens to the public in late March/early April  until it closes at the end of October or early November, the densely-planted gardens surrounding Monet's home and large lily pond produce a dazzling display of flowers. 

With around 100,000 perennials, another 100,000 or so annuals, and rhododendrons, roses, and other flowering bushes and trees, you'll see an incredible display of flowers whenever you visit.  And touring the house where Monet lived with his second wife and their eight children gives you fascinating glimpses of his comfortable furnishings, favorite art, and gorgeous French country kitchen.

Although Giverny lies 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Paris, you can travel there quickly and easily, making Monet's garden a perfect destination for a day trip - or longer.

We describe 6 different ways for you to get to Monet's garden in Giverny from Paris .  We point out the pros and cons of each option so that you can decide which one works best for you.

Here's what you'll find in this article:

• How to get to Giverny from Paris with a tour group
• How to get Giverny tickets & local guides on your own
• How to go from Paris to Giverny by train
• Can you bike to Giverny from Paris?
• How to get to Giverny from Paris with a ride share
• When to consider going to Giverny by car
• Should you go from Paris to Giverny by bus, Uber, or taxi?

Top photo: Monet's home and garden in Giverny, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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1.  How to Get from Paris to Giverny with a Tour Group

The easiest, most convenient, and by far the most popular way to get to Giverny is to join a group tour that includes air-conditioned minivan or coach transportation from Paris.

All you have to do is show up at a designated meeting spot in Paris.  For the ultimate convenience, you can even choose a private tour where you'll be picked up at your Paris hotel or apartment.

Your tour organizer handles everything else, including transportation, your ticket to the house and gardens, and priority entry through a gate available only to tour groups.  The drive to and from Giverny typically takes a little more than an hour each way.

Although most tours of Giverny from Paris include information and insights from an expert guide, you'll typically explore Monet's house, gardens, and lily pond on your own, which allows you to decide how much time to spend in each area based on your interests.

If you want to make the most of your visit to Giverny while not spending (and perhaps wasting) time figuring out all the details, these transportation-included tours are the way to go.

Popular Half-Day Giverny Tours from Paris

Here are three of the most popular choices:

• Giverny: Monet's Garden Half-Day Tour - Small guided group tour (up to 8 participants) - You'll visit Monet's house, gardens, and pond, Giverny village, and a graveyard with Monet's tomb and a moving memorial to seven British RAF airmen after the D-Day landings.
• Half-Day Trip to Giverny from Paris - Large group tour to Monet's house, gardens, and pond.  After a brief overview of what you can see at the estate, you'll explore on your own.
• Private Tour of Monet's Gardens & House with an Art Historian - Private tour for 2-8 participants with pickup/dropoff at your Paris hotel with a professional licensed guide who is also a historian; per-person cost drops as group size increases.  You'll also explore the village of Giverny.

Top Tours to Giverny from Paris:

Best full-day giverny & versailles tours.

These tours combine a half-day visit to Monet's estate and gardens in Giverny with a half-day at the Palace of Versailles, where you'll see the Hall of Mirrors and the Royal Apartments.  Depending on which tour you choose, you'll also get to spend time in Versailles' gardens and perhaps see a Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens show.

Here are several popular choices:

• Giverny & Versailles Full-Day Trip - Medium-sized guided group tour (up to 8 participants) - You'll visit Monet's house, gardens, and pond in Giverny, and Versailles Palace and gardens which special Musical Fountains/Gardens show included if you choose a date when it's available.  Your guide will give you an interesting overview of both places during the drive, but you'll explore on your own.  You'll have time to get lunch on your own.  For a similar experience but with guided tours at both attractions included, take a look at the Giverny & Versailles Palace Guided Day Trip.
• Giverny & Versailles Day Tour with Lunch - Guided tour group (up to 14 participants) - You'll visit Monet's house and gardens in Giverny, and Versailles Palace and gardens which special Musical Fountains/Gardens show when available on your chosen date.  Includes a 3-course lunch with wine in a scenic mill house restaurant near Giverny.  For a similar experience with
• Giverny & Versailles Private Full-Day Trip - Private VIP tour of Giverny and Versailles (including the gardens, Grand and Petit Trianons, and Queen's Hamlet) for your family or friends group of up to 7 people, with pickup/dropoff at your Paris hotel or apartment. 

A Fun Giverny Tour by Bike

• Monet's Garden Bike Tour - This full-day excursion combines a 3 mile (5k) bike ride from the town of Vernon with a visit to Monet's estate.  Along the way, you'll stop at an outdoor market for food and enjoy a picnic in a park.  Later, you can explore the village of Giverny.  Includes transportation from Paris to Giverny and back to Paris.

Find more Giverny & Giverny-Versailles tours from Paris

Pros & Cons for Getting to Giverny With a Tour Group

Pros: 

• Easy & Convenient - The tour operator takes care of transportation, your tickets to Monet's estate and Versailles, if you choose a combo tour, any other tour inclusions (bikes, lunch, separate Versailles garden tickets, audioguides, etc.), and fast entry through the tour-only gate available only to tour groups.  All you have to do is show up at the meeting location - and if you choose one of the VIP tours with pickup/dropoff included, you don't even have to do that.
• Saves Time - One of the quickest ways to get to Giverny, plus the Giverny-Versailles full-day tours are ideal when you want to visit both but don't have much time in Paris.
• Cost - Wide range, which lets you find a tour to fit your budget.  The cheapest tour, which is the Half-Day Trip to Giverny from Paris tour's audioguide/tour-on-your-own option, costs only a little more than going on your own by train and taxi.

Cons: 

• Time Constraints - You will have only a specific amount of time at Giverny (and other activities, depending on which tour you choose).
• Cost - Higher (in most cases) than going by train or a rideshare.

Prefer to Go to Giverny on Your Own?

The rest of this article describes how to get from Paris to Giverny on your own by train (the most popular choice), bike, car, and a few other options.  Here are a couple of things you might want to know:

How to Get Admission Tickets for Monet's House & Gardens

The Monet Foundation, which operates Monet's estate, offers two options:

• At the entrance (you may have to wait in line for awhile): 11€
• Online in advance (dated, timed tickets - they cost 1€ more, but you'll usually save time by not having to wait in the ticket line) on the Foundation's website (in the "Practical Information" section - click the Admission link): 12€

Reduced rates are available for students, children under 7 (free), and people with disabilities.

Local Tour Guides for Monet's House & Gardens

Even though Giverny is easy to visit on your own, an experienced tour guide can provide information and insights to give you a deeper appreciation of what you're seeing.  Here are some local options:

Private Giverny Guides

In the Practical Information: Admission section on the Foundation's website , you'll find a link to a list of private guides based in Giverny.  The list indicates languages spoken and contact information so that you can get more details.

Group Tours 

Meet up with these local guides in Giverny village near Monet's estate:

• Monet's House & Gardens Guided Tour - Small group tour (up to 9 people), 1.5 hours, includes your priority entrance ticket.  What makes this tour unique is that it starts with Monet's water lily pond garden, where your guide will point out the different features of the garden and the flower species blooming in it.  You'll also visit Monet's house.  At the end, you can stay as long as you want to explore more on your own.
• Monet's House & Garden Skip-the-Line Tour - 2 hours, includes your priority entrance ticket.  Your guide will show you a bit of Giverny village, tell you about Monet's role in leading the Impressionist movement, and describe the other artists such as John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, and Paul Cezanne who he inspired to form an artists' colony in Giverny.  You'll explore the gardens and pond, as well as his house.

2.  How to Get from Paris to Giverny by Train

The second most popular option for getting to Giverny from Paris is take a train in the SNCF network, the French national railway company (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français) for providing rail service across France. 

Giverny , a tiny village with barely more than 500 residents, does not have direct train service from Paris, but you can take a train from Paris's Gare Saint-Lazare (memorialized by Monet in his "Gare Saint-Lazare" series of a dozen oil paintings) to Vernon, a somewhat larger town located only 3 miles (5 km) from Giverny.  

To get to Giverny from the Vernon station, Gare de Vernon-Giverny, you have several options: a seasonal shuttle bus ( navette, in French), taxi, biking, or walking. 

The total time to get from Paris to Monet's estate at Giverny is about 1.5 hours, assuming you take the shuttle bus.

How to Get Your Train Tickets from Paris to Vernon

Here's how to get Vernon by train from Paris, and then to get to Giverny by shuttle bus, taxi, biking, or walking.

Trains to northwestern France including Normandy, where Vernon is located, depart from Gare Saint-Lazare (this is also where you can catch trains to Versailles and the Normandy D-Day beaches). 

Although Saint-Lazare is the second-busiest of Paris's seven big rail stations serving long-distance trains to other parts of France, commuters from nearby suburbs account for the vast majority of the station's almost half-million daily passengers.

You can either buy your train tickets from a ticket machine in Gare Saint-Lazare on the day you travel or in advance, or get them online in advance. 

Transit time varies based on time of day and type of train (several types serve this route), but typically is less than one hour.  Trains run every hour or two throughout much of the day.

How to Buy Your Giverny Tickets at the Station

Navigating around Gare Saint-Lazare can seem a little tricky at first because of the 3-level shopping center stretching across one side of the building - very convenient for the suburban commuters, but a bit confusing if you're familiar with the station.

But actually, all you need to do when buying your tickets to Vernon , whether you enter at street level or take the subway or RER to the station is to look for and then follow the "Grande Lignes" (long-distance trains). 

Once you reach the Grandes Lignes part of the departure concourse, you'll easily spot the ticket machines.  Ignore the ones labeled "Ile de France" and look for a machine for "Grandes Lignes."

Find details about getting your Vernon train tickets at Gare Saint-Lazare

Why to Keep Your Train Tickets Until After You Arrive

Important Tip:  Keep your ticket once you board the train at Gare Saint-Lazare because you'll need to show it to the conductor during your trip, and possibly insert it into a turnstile in order to exit the Vernon station.  

If you don't have your ticket when you exit, you'll most likely be fined.

How to Get from Vernon to Giverny

Once you get off the train at the Vernon station, Gare de Vernon-Giverny, you have four choices for traveling the 3 miles (8 km) to Giverny: a seasonal shuttle bus ( navette, in French), taxi, biking, or walking. 

Here's what you need to know about each option:

Shuttle Bus from Vernon to Giverny

A shuttle bus designed to look like a small train runs to and from Giverny during the months when Monet's house and gardens are open for touring - late March/early April through late October/early November.  The shuttle drops you off in the Giverny parking lot.  Currently, the fare is 5€ each way, and 10€ for a round-trip ticket.  You pay the driver directly, in cash, or with credit card inside the station (look for shuttle or Agence SNgo! signs).

The shuttle bus departs across from Gare de Vernon-Giverny about 20 minutes after the arrival of each train from Paris during hours when Monet's estate is open, and departs Giverny in time to arrive at the Vernon station about 20 minutes before trains depart for Paris.  The ride each way takes about 10-15 minutes.

Here are the current schedules to give you a sense of availability - but always confirm times with the Normandy transportation network in case of updates (on the home page, click Giverny Shuttle).

Taxi to Giverny

As you exit Gare de Vernon-Giverny, you'll probably see a couple of taxis waiting for passengers by the station.  One-way fares to Monet's estate are about 15€ - 20€ for up to 3 people.

The biggest advantage of taking a taxi to Giverny is that you can grab one as soon as you exit the station, rather than wait 15-20 minutes for the shuttle to depart.

If you're traveling with one or more other people, the taxi will cost you the same or less per person than the shuttle. 

However, getting back to the station by taxi is trickier.  Your best bet is to ask the driver for a phone number to call for pickup.  If that doesn't work out, you can always take the shuttle bus back to Vernon.

Walking to and from Giverny

The 3-mile (5 km) walk to Giverny will take you about an hour or a little less, depending on how fast you walk, and you'll most likely enjoy the scenery along the way - especially since much of the walk is along the Seine River.  You'll see plenty of signs from the station, so just follow the walking path. 

Walking can be a wonderful choice if you arrive on an early train, the weather is lovely, and you like to walk.  Plus, you'll save a few euros.  And you can always take the shuttle bus back if you don't want to walk both ways.

Biking to and from Giverny

When you get off the train from Paris and come out of the station, look for bike rental signs. 

One of best full-service places, with is highly rated, is the Givernon Rental Station at 39 Rue Emile Steiner, located about half a block from the train station.  The long row of bikes parked in front of the shop is easy to spot.  Your rental includes a helmet, lock, and, if you rent an electric bike (or scooter) for more than a day, a charger.  Rates are very reasonable, and you can reserve on their website.  

After your visit to Monet's house and gardens, you can explore Giverny, Vernon (which has some interesting attractions), and the surrounding areas using the good bike paths and enjoying the fairly flat terrain.

Pros & Cons for Getting to Giverny by Train

• Flexibility - You can spend as long as you exploring Monet's home and gardens, Giverny village (full of nice cafes, boutiques, artist studios), and even Vernon (attractions include a medieval castle, a 10th century romanesque/gothic church depicted in several of Monet's paintings, a small museum with some Impressionist paintings, including a couple by Monet, and picturesque half-timbered dwellings dating back to the Middle Ages).  With so much to do and see in the area, you may even want to stay overnight in one of the many small inns and B&Bs - which are much cheaper than most Paris hotels. 
• Cost - May be cheaper than a transportation-and-ticket-only tour, depending on when and where you buy your train tickets, and how you get to Giverny (more about that in a moment).
• Somewhat More Complicated than Going on a Tour from Paris - Although getting to Giverny from Paris and back is not particularly complicated, there are more steps involved than just joining a tour, particularly since you should book tickets to Monet's estate in advance during the busiest season (mid-May - early September).

3.  How to Get to Giverny from Paris with a Ride Share

A ride share - b asically, a car-pooling service where you catch a ride from Paris to Giverny in exchange for a few euros with someone who is driving on the same day/time you want to go - is an option you may not have considered.  

France's ride-share app, BlaBlaCar (which also operates in other European countries and UK) makes this easy. 

You simply go to the app, enter your departure point, your destination, and travel date.  A list pops up showing available offers from drivers who have room in their car one or more passengers.  If buses are available for your route (which they are not from Paris to Giverny), you'll see them too.  Click on the offer you like, and you'll see additional details, such as the meet-up location.

Paris to Giverny (or Vernon) is not a particularly popular route for non-tourists, but if the stars align and you see an offer, a ride share can be an interesting experience and will save you a few euros in transportation costs compared with going by train.  Unless you get very lucky, though, you'll probably need to take the train back to Paris.

And of course, similar to going by train, you'll need to get your own admission ticket to Monet's estate.

4.  Can You Go to Giverny from Paris by Bike?

Yes,  although not for a day trip. 

According to France Velo Tourism  (velo means "bicycle" in French), the go-to resource for traveling by bike in France, and whose excellent website you'll certainly want to consult, the fastest route (55 miles/88.5 km over mostly roads vs bike paths) will take you almost 7 hours each way. 

If you ride on bike paths 97% of the time, the route extends to 90 miles (145 km), which France Velo suggests staging over the course of 3 days. 

Probably neither option will appeal to you if you're the average Paris visitor who just wants to spend a few hours strolling around Giverny - but if you love long-distance biking and have time to make this trip, you'll certainly have some memorable experiences.

5.  When to Consider Going to Giverny by Car

Normally, as a Paris visitor, there's no point in being burdened with a car in Paris because a) driving in the city can be a nightmare if you're not used to it, and b) parking can cost more than dinner, and c) paying for petrol in Europe can quickly flatten your wallet.  Getting around Paris on the metro or walking or even the occasional taxi or Uber is much faster, cheaper, and easier. 

Even renting a car just to get from Paris to Giverny and back doesn't makes sense in terms of saving time or money, especially since the process of picking up/returning your rental car can be a hassle.  If your goal is private car transport, ask the concierge at your hotel to recommend a reliable chauffeured car service.

But if you are planning to make a trip outside the city to multiple destinations including Giverny, then renting a car can make a lot of sense. 

If you are considering doing this, here are a couple of tips:

First, instead of renting a car in Paris and having to battle city traffic on congested roads, consider picking up your rental in the nearby business district of La Défense, easily reached on Line 1 of the metro.  You'll find European, British, and even American car rental agencies such as Avis and Budget.  From La Défense, you'll have an easy drive to Giverny and beyond.

Second, consider spending the night at one of the wonderful hotels or apartments in Giverny (make sure you choose one with onsite parking) where both hotel rates and parking fees are significantly cheaper than in Paris.  This also gives you more time to explore Monet's charming home and magnificent gardens at your own pace.

6.  Why Getting to Giverny by Bus, Uber, or Taxi Is Not a Good Idea

Public bus service from Paris to Giverny (or Vernon) is not available.

Should you consider using a ride-share service such as Uber or a taxi for getting to Giverny from Paris?

No, not unless you don't mind paying as much as 200€ or even more Euros each way, finding an Uber or taxi willing to take you (at 50 miles/80 km, most will not), and risking getting stuck there if you can't find a ride service willing to take you back to Paris.

If you want to travel to Giverny by car, you're much better off finding a chauffeured car service to take you.   Ask your hotel concierge to make arrangements for you.  Most hotels have trusted car services that they're happy to recommend. 

You'll still have to pay a lot, but you'll be assured of not getting stuck in Giverny and scrambling to find overnight accommodations.

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Sotheby’s to Offer Four Masterworks by Joan Mitchell Spanning Nearly Half a Century

R epresenting the most significant selection of paintings from Joan Mitchell’s oeuvre to ever come to market, this May Sotheby’s will offer four defining masterworks by the one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated titans of Abstract Expressionism – all hailing from the same esteemed private collection. Each created during a key period of her storied career, the individual works chart the development of Mitchell’s painting through the defining seasons of her life: from her early works as she forged her own path as a leading figure of the male-dominated New York School, to her colorful soaring canvases created in the lush French countryside late in her career. Spanning nearly half a century of artistic production, together the conversation between these paintings offers a visual timeline of the radical transformations of her practice from c. 1955 through to 1989, testifying to her commitment to abstraction, the evolution of her mark-making, and continued affinity for the natural world. The group is comprised of Untitled from circa 1955, an exceptional example of Mitchell’s early work, completed three years after her first New York City solo exhibition (Estimate: $8 – 12 million); her large-scale canvas Noon from circa 1969, the year after her permanent move to Vétheuil, France, where she settled along the Seine (Estimate: $15 – 20 million); Untitled from circa 1973, created just one year after her first major museum solo exhibition (Estimate: $1 – 1.5 million); and Ground from 1989, a vibrant late-period monumental diptych (Estimate: $12 – 18 million).

“I paint from remembered landscapes that I carry with me—and remembered feelings of them, which of course become transformed. I could certainly never mirror nature. I would like more to paint what it leaves me with."

Untitled from circa 1955 is an exceptionally rare example of Mitchell’s abstractions of the mid-to-late 1950s, which are today celebrated as her first mature body of work. This group sees Mitchell as a young, academically-minded painter establishing her rigorous compositional strategies and technical range. Her masterpiece at the Art Institute of Chicago, City Landscape (1955), also dates to this decade, one that was characterized by critically lauded and commercially successful gallery shows. Untitled was painted four years after her participation in Leo Castelli’s legendary 9th Street Show , which firmly placed her place at the fore of New York’s post-war artistic circle, and three years after her first New York City solo exhibition at the New Gallery, which further cemented her as a young, prominent artist in her own right. This pivotal moment heralded a seminal period in Mitchell’s life and work, when she moved back and forth between New York and Paris, seamlessly blending the abstract machismo of the New York School with an elegant European fidelity to nature.

“Mitchell had that rare gift of looking at the world from a perspective that was not human-centered – from a point of view that gives back to us nature in its radical otherness, that refuses to domesticate it or interpret in terms of human needs…What her paintings make palpable is an immediate presence of feeling.”

In 1967, Mitchell purchased La Tour, an estate in Vétheuil along the Seine, and permanently relocated her studio there in 1968. Executed circa 1969, Noon emerged the year after Mitchell permanently relocated to Vétheuil. This move marked a turning point in her career, as her canvases became larger and the stimulation of the French countryside proved immensely generative. Mitchell’s confidence in her painting by the late 1960s is on full display, particularly in the diversity of her painting – in Noon, the surface ranges from sumptuous impasto, to liquid drips, to dry, pattering strokes – reminiscent of the reflections of light on Monet’s waterlilies. A window into Mitchell’s bucolic surroundings, Mitchell has also adopted her signature palette of rich violets, sunny yellows, and oranges.

P ainted circa 1973 - just one year after her first major museum solo exhibition, My Five Years in the Country: An Exhibition of Forty-nine Paintings by Joan Mitchell at the Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse - Untitled is consistent with the best paintings from this period, and reflects the artist's evolving painterly language on an intimate scale. Speaking to the kinship Mitchell felt with the French Impressionists, Untitled is executed in a palette suggesting the juxtaposition of land and water, florals and foliage.  

P ainted in 1989, the final years of her career, Ground is an exceptional example of Mitchell’s last mature body of work in her favored diptych format. During this period, Mitchell ambitiously expanded the scale of her projects, often working in diptychs and triptychs, while maintaining a brilliantly saturated palette and vigorous brushwork. Despite Mitchell’s declining health during the time it was painted, Ground is distinguished by a physical and creative vitality that not only defies her age, but also testifies to the artist’s painterly and technical mastery. Mitchell’s late works from the 1980s are perhaps her most powerful and self-assured expressions of nature, as she radically abstracts landscape into consistently muscular yet restrained brushstrokes that evoke light and color. Ground is distinguished by its bright and ebullient palette of rose, orange, green, and yellow, which is made even stronger by Mitchell’s calligraphic yet bold brushwork. Together, the colors and brushstrokes evoke Mitchell’s lifelong inspiration from nature: the abundance of the landscape surrounding her home in Vétheuil and the lushness of her garden are represented in the abstract and explosive fullness of the present work’s composition.

Joan Mitchell graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1947, and subsequently relocated to France after she received a travel fellowship. After moving to New York in 1949, Mitchell became a central part of the New York School. Confronted by the muscularity and machismo of the prevailing Abstract Expressionist scene, Mitchell challenged this head on, infusing her paintings with her personal memories and allusions to places - from music to poetry to dogs and nature - creating her own brand of abstraction and rising to the forefront of the movement. Throughout her life and work, Mitchell felt a kindship with the French Impressionists and European Post-Impressionists.

The Monets and van Goghs she encountered in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection proved profoundly moving – and in 1957 and 1958, Mitchell participated in exhibitions of “Abstract Expressionism” a term coined by her friend and fellow artist Elaine de Kooning. By 1955, Mitchell began splitting time between Paris and New York, until 1967, when Mitchell inherited money after the passing of her mother, and was able to purchase La Tour, an estate in Vétheuil along the Seine. This move would mark a decisive turning point in her career: La Tour’s large space and high ceilings afforded Mitchell the ability to work on a larger scale, and, fully immersed in the natural world that she so loved, the stimulation of the French countryside proved immensely influential. Surrounded by Vétheuil’s beautiful landscape, Mitchell adopted what would become her signature aqueous palette of periwinkle and marigold, violet and ultramarine, and produced monumental works such as Noon and Ground.

“She would open up the tenuous space of her compositions and dance ribbons of color and gesture across the surface, or construct compartmentalized passages of form and color that would coalesce into energized physical expressions. With apparent abandon, she threw, splashed, or forced paint onto the canvas in her distinctive colors and gestures: the paintings display her fondness for a palette of blue, green, orange, black, and white, together with her personal vocabulary of choppy vertical smears, washes of pastel hues, slashed aggressive hues, loops of joyful color, definite drips, thick orbs of paint, and eccentric composition.”

EXHIBITION CALENDAR

Los Angeles

Today through 19 April

Including Noon, Untitled (c. 1955), and Untitled (c. 1973)

Full Exhibitions of Contemporary and Modern Art

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